Wavelength conversion element, optical apparatus, and method of manufacturing wavelength conversion element

Abstract

A wavelength conversion element includes: a plate; and a wavelength conversion layer disposed on the plate and including: an inorganic matrix; an inorganic wavelength conversion material dispersed in the inorganic matrix and configured to emit light having a different wavelength than does incident light; and a polymer material in the inorganic matrix, wherein both the inorganic matrix and the polymer material are in contact with the plate.

1 . A wavelength conversion element comprising:
 a plate; and   a wavelength conversion layer disposed on the plate and including:
 an inorganic matrix; 
 an inorganic wavelength conversion material dispersed in the inorganic matrix and configured to emit light having a different wavelength than does incident light; and 
 a polymer material in the inorganic matrix, wherein 
   both the inorganic matrix and the polymer material are in contact with the plate.   
     
     
         2 . The wavelength conversion element according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer material fills gaps in the inorganic matrix. 
     
     
         3 . The wavelength conversion element according to  claim 1 , wherein the inorganic matrix contains at least one of alumina, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, and zinc oxide. 
     
     
         4 . The wavelength conversion element according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer material contains at least one of silicone, polyimide, polyarylate, polyether ether ketone, polyurethane, epoxy resin, and phenol resin. 
     
     
         5 . The wavelength conversion element according to  claim 1 , further comprising a polymer layer on a surface of the wavelength conversion layer that does not face the plate. 
     
     
         6 . The wavelength conversion element according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate is made of a metal plate. 
     
     
         7 . An optical apparatus comprising:
 the wavelength conversion element according to  claim 1 ; and   a light source configured to shine light onto the wavelength conversion layer of the wavelength conversion element.   
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing the wavelength conversion element according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 providing, on the plate, a wavelength conversion member including the inorganic matrix and the inorganic wavelength conversion material; and   forming the wavelength conversion layer by impregnating the wavelength conversion member with a solution containing either a polymer or a precursor to a polymer.   
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing the wavelength conversion element according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 applying a paste containing an inorganic material, an inorganic wavelength conversion material, and either a polymer or a precursor to a polymer; and   forming the wavelength conversion layer by heating the paste.